Chauvin Verdict: Fairfax Officials Signal More Needs To Be Done

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Fairfax County officials applauded Tuesday's conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd on Memorial Day 2020. However, they all signaled that more needed to be done to ensure police accountability and true equity for all Americans.

"Almost a year ago, Americans across the country and in Fairfax County went to the streets to protest the tragic murder of George Floyd," Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said, in a statement posted to Twitter. "While the inequities surrounding George Floyd's death were not solved by the guilty verdict of Derek Chauvin and this trial won't bring George Floyd back, Derek Chauvin was held accountable for his actions."

Chauvin, 45, was convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd's death.

McKay called the conviction an important step toward justice and healing, adding that county residents have a chance "for a safe and equitable future."

U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11th) posted on Twitter that the jury believed their own eyes in delivering a guilty verdict in the Chauvin case.

"But while justice prevailed this time, far too many Black lives have been cut short with no such accountability," he said. "We owe them real, structural change."

In a Twitter post, Rep. Don Beyer (D-8th) echoed Connolly's sentiment that the jury confirmed what the whole nation saw, that Chauvin was guilty of murdering Floyd.

Sean Perryman, president of the Fairfax County NAACP, said in a statement on Twitter that the verdict demonstrated that you can't get away with murder even if you're wearing a uniform.

"It's sad that the bar is that low," he said. "Real justice for George Floyd is creating a new system where our lives aren’t in danger whenever we deal with cops. Real is justice is the end of policing that kills."

Del. Ibraheem Samirah (D-86th), who represents parts of Loudoun and Fairfax counties, including Herndon, in the Virginia House of Delegates, said in a Twitter post that justice had been served.

"But do not forget the multitude of other lives that have been lost to police violence that didn't have the same outcome," he said. "It shouldn't take massive media focus to ensure that justice is served for Black and Brown people."

Justice has been served for George Floyd. But do not forget the multitude of other lives that have been lost to police violence that didn't have the same outcome. It shouldn't take massive media focus to ensure that justice is served for Black and Brown people. #BlackLivesMatter
— Del. Ibraheem Samirah (@IbraheemSamirah) April 20, 2021

Floyd's death sparked calls for racial justice and an end to police violence throughout the country. Locally, residents marched in support of Black Lives Matter and demonstrated outside Fairfax County Police headquarters to raise awareness of police violence against people of color.

In June, the Board of Supervisors condemned Chauvin's actions, issuing a statement on racial equity. The board also found money in the budget to fully implement the body-worn camera program in all of the county's police districts.

"The Fairfax County Police Department remains at the forefront of reform efforts while providing our community with the highest quality of police services," the department said, in a statement issued Tuesday on Twitter. "As your police department, we are striving to build, and in some cases, repair trust within our community. We remain steadfast in making sure our values are being upheld. We continue to ensure your Department protects everyone equitably while remaining in the principles of consistent and impartial policing."

A statement from @FairfaxCountyPD and I on today's guilty verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin. pic.twitter.com/lsO0drAegP
— Jeff McKay (@JeffreyCMcKay) April 20, 2021